CHAMPIONS APLENTY ON SHOW IN DUBLIN
Ian Fortune
It may be eight days later than originally scheduled due to the high temperatures but the BOYLE Sports Champion Stakes and Champion Plate get underway at Shelbourne Park this evening and should again provide some truly exceptional racing, while the final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby is also part of an outstanding card in Dublin.
The Champion Stakes has been one of the jewels in the Irish greyhound racing crown for over 40 years. It has provided so many star names the opportunity to star in the Dublin sunshine and, while it has been moved forward in recent years, it remains one of the best feature events of the summer.
DIAMOND AND MONARCH CLASH
Tonight’s semi-finals are absolutely stacked with real quality and some of the resulting clashes are truly mouthwatering.
Bockos Diamond was a sensational winner of the 2024 Derby and his clash this year’s record-breaking Con & Annie Kirby Memorial champion Bouncing Monarch is worth the admission alone. The pair run as the bookends in the opening heat and will be joined by the likes of speedsters Solo And Go and Jaykay Fly. It’s a wonderful contest and one that is sure to attract eyes from far and wide.
Understandably, Bockos Diamond and Bouncing Monarch take up the lion’s share of the market with the duo disputing favouritism and so much will come down to the opening exchanges. Bouncing Monarch was simply magnificent in the Kirby Memorial decider but has been lightly raced since.
Bockos Diamond was also good when last seen and will appreciate a return to 550yds but neither can afford mistakes. Solo And Go and Jaykay Fly are also likely to race prominently but will need to get off the front to emerge on top.
In what should be a fascinating contest, Bockos Diamond just gets the nod from an ideal draw in his beloved stripes but Bouncing Monarch is a serious threat.
ACE TO UNLEASH AN EPIC DISPLAY
Epic Ace was simply outstanding through the early rounds of the English Derby at Towcester only to run out of luck in the semi-finals.
He returns to action in the second heat of the Champion Stakes and will be a hot favourite to emerge on top despite the presence of some hugely talented rivals including Ballymac Kamala, Getup The Boy and Gaytime Clyde.
Epic Ace has the best of the draw, however, and after two sizzling trials at Shelbourne Park in recent weeks, seems ready to return to winning ways. John Kennedy’s star can start on terms before powering his way to the front into the bend.
Ballymac Kamala probably has more early speed than the remaining runners and can quickly emerge as the main danger but should she fail to dictate, it’s hard to see how she can pick up Epic Ace. The pair can lead home their rivals to secure a place in the final.
KANE MAKES DUBLIN DEBUT
Glengar Kane suffered his first career defeat when making his exit from the English Derby in mid-May. He returns to the track in the last of the three heats and will be a warm favourite despite his lack of experience in Dublin.
Indeed, he makes his Shelbourne Park debut this evening and will needs to be at his sharpest in the opening exchanges as the likes of Low Profile, Shanahee Boomer, Sober Barry and Coloursaregreen will be waiting in the wings should he make any mistakes.
Glengar Kane may be a short price but this is quite an open affair and the early exchanges will have a huge bearing on the result.
MALINAS FAVOURED IN MAIDEN DERBY
The final of the Shelbourne Maiden Derby is also part of the top-class card on offer and there are many possible outcomes but much will depend on what Ballymac Malinas does in the first five yards.
Liam Dowling’s tracker has a huge reputation and has shown glimpses of exceptional quality but his starting has largely let him down.
Should he start better this evening, potentially hitting the front earlier than normal, his incredible pace down the back straight could carry him into a decisive advantage. That is far from guaranteed but one suspects he is getting closer to the finished article and remains open to improvement.
Sleight Of Hand was the standout in the semi-finals, showing fine pace throughout to post a fast 29.34 from an ideal draw on the fence. He is in two tonight but remains a leading fancy. In fact, he has been favourite all week for the contest but will need another good start.
Jacktavern Turbo has a good draw on the fence and must also be respected. He is in fine form and will finish as fast as any. Magical Fiona needs to come away racing from three but she too has claims, while Uncle Keith is another that will finish at speed.
Harvard Square completes the line-up and he has the early speed to race prominently. The 550yds does stretch him but his presence is a concern for those that needs to dictate to threaten.
It really is a wide-open affair. Sleight Of Hand will attract plenty of support, as will a couple of the others but Ballymac Malinas is long overdue a first career victory and he just gets the nod.
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN PLATE SEMIS
Bockos Gold has the ideal opportunity to return to winning ways and potentially secure his standing as one of the favourites for Derby glory in the BOYLE Sports Champion Plate.
The massive son of Coolavanny Hoffa looks made for 550yds around Shelbourne Park and he can take the world of beating in the second semi-final of the Plate.
Drawn on the fence, he can again show his terrific early speed to assert in the early yards. Of his rivals, Ballymac Gwennie, Coolemount Fame and Ballyhooly Bruno will be finishing fastest, while Ello Ello is perhaps the greatest danger in the early yards. Bockos Gold is odds-on for a reason, however. He really should have too much ammunition for his rivals and is selected to make all.
A WIDE-OPEN AFFAIR
The opening heat is a far more open affair with each of the six capable of playing a big part.
Hackney Plan was a good winner last time and is the narrow favourite but Scooby Marquess and Newinn Spot will look to set a searching pace. Both have huge pace to the third turn and it will be interesting to see how they handle the 550yd trip.
Ballymac Siun, Droopys Map and Priceless Romeo complete a talented field and none can be dismissed. Hackney Plan is a token selection to lead home Scooby Marquess and Newinn Spot.